Bittersweet — that's how I would best describe the last 30+ years of researching my family history. What started as a history paper in high school has ballooned into a consuming passion, with many twists and turns. Not to mention all the crazy "coincidences" I have uncovered along the way. Read More...

A bittersweet journey

Bittersweet - that's how I would best describe the last 30+ years of researching my family history. What started as a history paper in high school has ballooned into a consuming passion, with many twists and turns. Not to mention all the crazy "coincidences" I have uncovered along the way.

On Sunday, Feb. 18, enjoy the award-winning Liang-He Piano Duo's synchronicity and unique repertoire at 2 p.m. in the Meadows Community Room at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin. As part of the "Sunday Afternoon Concert Series," meet the artists and enjoy refreshments after the concert.

Bittersweet — that's how I would best describe the last 30+ years of researching my family history. What started as a history paper in high school has ballooned into a consuming passion, with many twists and turns. Not to mention all the crazy "coincidences" I have uncovered along the way. Read More...

A bittersweet journey

Bittersweet - that's how I would best describe the last 30+ years of researching my family history. What started as a history paper in high school has ballooned into a consuming passion, with many twists and turns. Not to mention all the crazy "coincidences" I have uncovered along the way.

Tackling big issues isn't easy. And while many avoid dealing with sensitive topics, or even deny they exist, those in the arts often embrace their platform and use their craft to raise awareness. Percy Julian Middle School is doing just that, tackling issues of race this school year through the CAST theater arts program. Read More...

CAST faces race issues head on

Tackling big issues isn't easy. And while many avoid dealing with sensitive topics, or even deny they exist, those in the arts often embrace their platform and use their craft to raise awareness. Percy Julian Middle School is doing just that, tackling issues of race this school year through the CAST theater arts program.

It was maybe eight years ago. A meeting at the Cheney Mansion for village officials to present their plan for major infrastructure work and streetscaping along Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. Read More...

Down the middle on Lake St.

It was maybe eight years ago. A meeting at the Cheney Mansion for village officials to present their plan for major infrastructure work and streetscaping along Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street.

When Joanie Rae Wimmer was in elementary school, she estimates she was the most unpopular student, disliked by all her classmates in Gary, Indiana because they could tell she was different. Read More...

Transgender lawyer reacts to political ad

When Joanie Rae Wimmer was in elementary school, she estimates she was the most unpopular student, disliked by all her classmates in Gary, Indiana because they could tell she was different.

Dr. Frederick A. Spurgat, a longtime Oak Park resident, died on Feb. 7, 2018. Born Dec. 7, 1929, he came to Concordia Teachers College as a high school freshman in the fall of 1944 and earned his bachelor's degree in 1952. He was awarded an MBA in Accounting in 1961 and a PhD in Organization Theory in 1976, both from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Read More...

Fred Spurgat, 88

Dr. Frederick A. Spurgat, a longtime Oak Park resident, died on Feb. 7, 2018. Born Dec. 7, 1929, he came to Concordia Teachers College as a high school freshman in the fall of 1944 and earned his bachelor's degree in 1952.

Visit Oak Park, which promotes tourism in Oak Park and 18 other communities in the area, announced that Sara Barnett, president and CEO since 2015, has resigned from the position to take a new job. Read More...

Visit Oak Park CEO resigns

Visit Oak Park, which promotes tourism in Oak Park and 18 other communities in the area, announced that Sara Barnett, president and CEO since 2015, has resigned from the position to take a new job.

Charles (Chuck) Raymond Dressel, of River Forest, died on Jan. 22, 2018 at the age of 68. Born on Sept. 11, 1949 in Oak Park to Raymond and Blanche Dressel, the oldest of four siblings, he attended Grace Lutheran School and went onto excel in three sports: football, wrestling, and track & field at Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he was named the school's 1967 Athlete of the Year. Read More...

Chuck Dressel, 68

Charles (Chuck) Raymond Dressel, of River Forest, died on Jan. 22, 2018 at the age of 68. Born on Sept. 11, 1949 in Oak Park to Raymond and Blanche Dressel, the oldest of four siblings, he attended Grace Lutheran School and went onto excel in three sports: football, wrestling, and track & field at Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he was named the school's 1967 Athlete of the Year.

As complex and stubborn as the achievement gap between black and white students remains, an equally difficult challenge is increasing the number of African American and minority teachers in our local public schools. Read More...

More black teachers

As complex and stubborn as the achievement gap between black and white students remains, an equally difficult challenge is increasing the number of African American and minority teachers in our local public schools.

Officials with Oak Park Elementary Schools District 97 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 recently outlined some of their plans to recruit more minority teachers after a petition drive. Read More...

Oak Park schools, residents push to increase minority hires

Officials with Oak Park Elementary Schools District 97 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 recently outlined some of their plans to recruit more minority teachers after a petition drive.

At the start of the season, Trinity basketball head coach Mike Valente talked about how everything his Blazers do during the regular season is geared towards making a deep run in the IHSA girls state basketball tournament. Read More...

Battle-tested Blazers ready for playoffs

At the start of the season, Trinity basketball head coach Mike Valente talked about how everything his Blazers do during the regular season is geared towards making a deep run in the IHSA girls state basketball tournament.

In Proust's Swann's Waythere is a passage about the evocative power of madeleines. The narrator tastes the sweet and his mind flashes back through time as he suddenly and vividly recalls a distant past and place when he had a similar taste sensation. Read More...

Flashing back through time

In Proust's Swann's Waythere is a passage about the evocative power of madeleines. The narrator tastes the sweet and his mind flashes back through time as he suddenly and vividly recalls a distant past and place when he had a similar taste sensation.

It was maybe eight years ago. A meeting at the Cheney Mansion for village officials to present their plan for major infrastructure work and streetscaping along Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. Read More...

Along with millions of others, I watched the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday. Of all the inspiring images nothing was as important or powerful as the collaboration of athletes from North and South Korea. Read More...

Say no to Trump's war fantasies

Along with millions of others, I watched the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday. Of all the inspiring images nothing was as important or powerful as the collaboration of athletes from North and South Korea.

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 officials are currently replacing fixtures and supply lines and shutting-off valves after 15 fountains and sinks at the high school tested for excessive amounts of lead last month. Read More...

OPRF isn't taking chances with lead results

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 officials are currently replacing fixtures and supply lines and shutting-off valves after 15 fountains and sinks at the high school tested for excessive amounts of lead last month.

Pastor Walter Mitty arrived at the Main Café last Saturday morning before anyone else in the men's fellowship group got there, so he had time to check out the red Valentine's Day hearts and cupids decorating the diner's walls. Read More...

You don't have to like people to love them

Pastor Walter Mitty arrived at the Main Café last Saturday morning before anyone else in the men's fellowship group got there, so he had time to check out the red Valentine's Day hearts and cupids decorating the diner's walls.

I am writing to express my endorsement of Scott Frankel, who is running to be Judge in the 11th Subcircuit. Scott has lived in Oak Park for the past 19 years. He has also been an attorney for 32 years. Read More...

Frankel has the legal experience

I am writing to express my endorsement of Scott Frankel, who is running to be Judge in the 11th Subcircuit. Scott has lived in Oak Park for the past 19 years. He has also been an attorney for 32 years.

Jane E. Murphy, 98, of River Forest, died on Feb. 6, 2018. A graduate of Trinity High School and Rosary College (Dominican University), following college, during the war years, she worked at the torpedo facility in Forest Park. Read More...

Jane Murphy, 98

Jane E. Murphy, 98, of River Forest, died on Feb. 6, 2018. A graduate of Trinity High School and Rosary College (Dominican University), following college, during the war years, she worked at the torpedo facility in Forest Park.

Let the second season begin. That's the opportunity the Fenwick and Oak Park and River Forest girls basketball teams will embrace as the IHSA state playoffs rev up this week. "We've played teams that take a minute off the clock per possession, and we've played teams that run-and-gun, press, and trap. We certainly feel prepared and we're ready. There are teams that don't want to play us because they feel exhausted afterwards - to them it's both a physical and mental challenge against us. Our trip to Nashville this season to play the Tennessee state champs helped us come together as a team. They enjoy playing for each other, they're all for one another, and I hope it continues". The players believe that they have yet to play their best ball and that the tough schedule has prepared them for what's to come. "We have yet to play our best basketball and I'm excited to see what we can do these next few weeks", Planek said. "I think it will be a good run". Added Blaze: "I think we have a good shot at making a run because our schedule has been hard. Every team we've played has been in 4A, and now we're facing 3A teams. I like our chances". "Our entire schedule has been based on the playoffs", Moore stressed. "We wanted to make sure we were prepared to make a run towards Downstate, which I feel we are". Read More...

Survive and Advance

Let the second season begin. That's the opportunity the Fenwick and Oak Park and River Forest girls basketball teams will embrace as the IHSA state playoffs rev up this week. "We've played teams that take a minute off the clock per possession, and we've played teams that run-and-gun, press, and trap.

About

EveryBlock collects 21 types of news in Chicago — including articles, real estate listings, meetups and conversations neighbors are having — and organizes it by location. Here is all the recent news and discussion near 100-185 N. Kenilworth Ave.